8 Mobile Security Tips To Prevent Hackers from Targeting Your Device

8 Mobile Security Tips To Prevent Hackers from Targeting Your Device

Mobiles have become an undeniable device today. There has been an astonishing growth since its innovation. Formerly, it was used only for communication and now, it has been ubiquitous. From banking to email, these mobile phones are becoming like paramount device. They serve as alarm clocks and watches, good for entertainment and as a pass-time activity. Students and children adore this as they have many beautiful apps like calculator, calendar, Google play books, AI enabled devices like Siri, Google Assistant, Alexa,Cortana etc.

If you go to any unfamiliar neighbourhoods, these devices show you the direction wherever you want to go. For businesses people, the contacts and address book are most essential. Smartphones come as handy for the social interface.

These phones contain all the confidential information including personal photos, pre-logged apps, messages, and emails. Just like your wallet smartphone is also filled with personal data. With the average American adult spending three to five hours daily on their phone, it is predominant to consider the negative aspects too.

While working on the phone, one day you realize that your device seems to be slower and receiving strange messages. New apps being installed without your intervention. Your mobile bill shows unexpected charges. Don’t you start wondering why is this happening? This is all because of the hackers hacking your device. So, what are ways to protect your phone?

Use Virtual private network

A VPN (a virtual private network) is a connection that masks your IP address and adds privacy or security when you’re in public or private networks. Hence, hackers will now snag it. This is used by companies to prevent their sensitive data. Privacy is at its core when a VPN is used as the user’s initial IP address is substituted with the providers VPN. For instance, the VPN of Amsterdam’s residence can be visible as San Fransisco, Chicago, Newyork, Seattle, or any number of other gateway cities.

It is an efficient process to play safely on public Wi-Fi. It encrypts your data from travelling to and from your phone or laptop. It makes harder for the hackers to grab the details.

Moreover, there are many VPN apps available in the market that makes your job easy. It is a medium for connecting to the internet from your phone. You can protect your data such as banking information, passcodes, digital signatures and more. There are the best Android VPN APPS with reliable encryption and to block malware.

Always update your mobile’s operating system(OS)

Most people feel guilty for delaying or ignoring app updates and OS updates. But if you postpone it frequently then you are opened to a data breach. It is a bit devastating for you. Ensure that you include all the current updates that comprise even the security patches.

Computer operating systems such as Windows and macOS are updated regularly between new additions. Smartphone updates their operating system as well, especially when there are close-leaks which hackers have discovered. Hackers can identify the vulnerabilities on the phone. Those sensitive data is then captured by the company, improvements are made to strengthen security and reduce weaknesses. There will be a notification whenever there is a new release.

You can update the phone directly or by syncing your device to the computer. Switch to the manufacturer’s website to download any new updates.

Lock your mobile devices

It’s convenient to keep your mobile unlocked always as you can access your texts, email, camera, and other features more easily and fastly. But just think about the person who stole your phone either in a restaurant or in any public places. How vexed you will be if he just taps on your business apps, banking information and contacts? Sending odd messages to your dear ones on your name. It’s hard to imagine right. You could land up placing yourself in embarrassing situations.

For this, at present all the phones have enabled with a password protected capabilities. Set password to your device for more protected data. Change it often for every 3 to 6 months. Make sure to lock your mobile when it is not in use. You have different types of screen-locks ranging from low security to high-security passwords. To save your phone from breaches, always have a high-secured passcode which is a mix of alphanumeric.

So that if any stranger tries to track your phone, it will be difficult to open your businesses information. Nowadays, there are even facial recognition, fingerprint and voice recognition passcodes which are also secured.

Lock individual applications

A strong password helps to keep cyber-criminals at bay. But what if someone snatches your phone while you are shopping or your friend borrowed it and lost it? In Android,  there is a facility to lock the individual apps. This acts as another line of protection. Hence, if someone jailbreaks your lock screen, they can’t open your secondary password which you have set it for banking app or email. This is not in-built in Android or iOS but can be accessed through many free apps.

Beware of any strange texts

If you receive any message or link from an unfamiliar number via SMS, just delete it. Don’t open any texts which seem odd to you. Even though you unintentionally opened don’t click on the link followed by the message. That’s how hackers steal your data and release their payload by sending a virus or malware. Make a habit of deleting text which is unknown to you.

Be cautious about downloads

When you are downloading apps read privacy setting policies before installing. Make sure that you are downloading those apps from the Apple app store or Android play store. They always check authenticity carefully. Check reviews and download only the trusted apps. Cybercriminals mimic trusted brands and create default apps for obtaining confidential information. To avoid these traps be sure to look at the reviews and any latest updates. Even keep an eye on the organization’s contact information.

Disable public networks

Using public WiFi networks is intrinsically less secure than your personal networks. If connectivity is enabled, snoopers can gather location and other confidential data. So it is better to shun doing anything sensible over it. Don’t enter passcodes or use credit cards on public Wi-Fi.

Ideally, hotspot or 4G is better when you are outside the confined walls of your home. In an emergency, you can limit the potential damage from suspected persons through these simple steps

  • Use networks only when you are in secured places like Starbucks.
  • Stick to HTTPS sites
  • Giving too much information leads to risks
  • Cut off File sharing and Airdrop

Ensure that the public connections are always secured and using the encrypted data like WPA2 that is a standard security feature provided by routers.

Anti-Virus protection

Your phone is just like a computer. It has applications, an operating system and internet browser. Hence, hackers usually use malware to forcibly take your account information and passwords. It’s obviously a mini computer and hence the prime target for the cyber-criminals. So, your device is in the dire need of anti-virus protection. There are many software available out there. These can be protected against the malware and any hacking attempts. Some software that offers free antivirus has VPN embedded in that as an additional bonus.

Bottom Line

Your smartphone is an all-in-one extension for your professional activities. It’s not just a convenience or novelty. It is a miniature footprint of your computer that is easy to lose or misplace. It is a highly-targeted device for hacking or theft. But protect your device with these preventive tips and be at your peace. Moreover, keep deleting all the cache, archives and memory frequently at least once a month. Even delete the apps which are no longer used and update your system whenever there is a new release. This makes your device run safer and faster.

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